Plastic vinyl dash pad cover???
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,652
Likes: 49
From: Bridgewater nj
Plastic vinyl dash pad cover???
Hi everyone!
I just pulled my stereo in my 82 and I took a nice chunk out of the dash pad. I see the vinyl covers that snap over the original and I wanted to know if they are any good and the biggest question..... Can you tell its a cover after it's installed?
Thanks
I just pulled my stereo in my 82 and I took a nice chunk out of the dash pad. I see the vinyl covers that snap over the original and I wanted to know if they are any good and the biggest question..... Can you tell its a cover after it's installed?
Thanks
Pro
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 557
Likes: 3
From: El Sobrante CA
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,003
Likes: 48
From: hickory NC
C4 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
2017 C4 of Year Finalist
Here's mine. They don't just snap in. Some cutting is required and they are held in with an adhesive and the 2 screws on each side that you can see in the photo.
You can tell it is a cover, easiest way is looking at the speaker grilles. They are not removable. There are 2 mold lines where the real grilles would be. Other than that I am happy with the way it looks.
[IMG]
[/IMG]
You can tell it is a cover, easiest way is looking at the speaker grilles. They are not removable. There are 2 mold lines where the real grilles would be. Other than that I am happy with the way it looks.
[IMG]
[/IMG]
Pro
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 557
Likes: 3
From: El Sobrante CA
I need to fix my dash at some point and am 'torn' between the 'cap' and 'covers.' In fact, I'm not quite sure what the difference is. As I understand it, the caps (sold by Willcox & Ecklers) fit on top of the existing dash, is that right? So, are the 'pads' just like carpets or rugs - like those you'd see at Autozone?
It's difficult to see the size and fitment of the cover shown in the pix. How far down around the gauges does it go? Or does it? And does anybody know if the '76-appropriate caps have those faux-stitches?
Thanks for any additional info.
It's difficult to see the size and fitment of the cover shown in the pix. How far down around the gauges does it go? Or does it? And does anybody know if the '76-appropriate caps have those faux-stitches?
Thanks for any additional info.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,003
Likes: 48
From: hickory NC
C4 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
2017 C4 of Year Finalist
Could the speaker grill be modified to be removable? I have the stock dash out, and the windshield out.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,003
Likes: 48
From: hickory NC
C4 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
2017 C4 of Year Finalist
Most, if not all of the vendors have them. Usually within a few bucks of each other.
Mine came from Corvette America. Also ordered some dye to match the interior color for touch-up that it needed.
Mine came from Corvette America. Also ordered some dye to match the interior color for touch-up that it needed.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 557
Likes: 3
From: El Sobrante CA
Here's an option:
http://derbycitycorvette.com/product...-dash-cap.aspx
I'm thinking about giving this a try, it's inexpensive enough but no speaker grille cutouts.
http://derbycitycorvette.com/product...-dash-cap.aspx
I'm thinking about giving this a try, it's inexpensive enough but no speaker grille cutouts.
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,852
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
It's always been our advice to just buy the dash pad vs. the cap... The pads are not that hard to install (instructions can be found on our site)... and in the end you'll have a good pad, not something covered up.
IMHO,
Willcox
IMHO,
Willcox
Pro
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 557
Likes: 3
From: El Sobrante CA
Could you clarify something? On your website, the units referred to in the listing as 'Dash Caps' appear as 'Dash Shields' on the referenced pages. These appear to be the 'cover up' type ($179) you advise against.
Also, in the items called 'Dash Pads,' are units which appear to be replacements for the vertical/front portion of the dash, not the horizontal, upper part. Are these complete assemblies, requiring the replacement of the entire dash - front and top? Or are they available separately - meaning only the upper portion ? It's difficult to figure all this out because of terminology inconsistencies.
Thanks!
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,652
Likes: 49
From: Bridgewater nj
A lot of good info guys. Thank you!!! Those pics look almost factory and I couldn't tell it was a cover. I'm going to try the crazy glue approach to see if I can glue this little chip back in but if it's noticeable .... I think I'll get the cap for now. My 7 year old has a bad habit of getting her feet on the dash anyway
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,852
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Hello Mr Willcox,
Could you clarify something? On your website, the units referred to in the listing as 'Dash Caps' appear as 'Dash Shields' on the referenced pages. These appear to be the 'cover up' type ($179) you advise against.
Also, in the items called 'Dash Pads,' are units which appear to be replacements for the vertical/front portion of the dash, not the horizontal, upper part. Are these complete assemblies, requiring the replacement of the entire dash - front and top? Or are they available separately - meaning only the upper portion ? It's difficult to figure all this out because of terminology inconsistencies.
Thanks!
Could you clarify something? On your website, the units referred to in the listing as 'Dash Caps' appear as 'Dash Shields' on the referenced pages. These appear to be the 'cover up' type ($179) you advise against.
Also, in the items called 'Dash Pads,' are units which appear to be replacements for the vertical/front portion of the dash, not the horizontal, upper part. Are these complete assemblies, requiring the replacement of the entire dash - front and top? Or are they available separately - meaning only the upper portion ? It's difficult to figure all this out because of terminology inconsistencies.
Thanks!
The caps for the 1976 cars are only made for the upper pad there isn't one for the lower pads.
Dash pad caps 1976
http://willcoxcorvette.com/advanced_...&keywords=dash
Dash pad upper.
http://willcoxcorvette.com/advanced_...keywords=upper
Lower Dash pad assemblies.
http://willcoxcorvette.com/advanced_...keywords=lower
The OP has a 82 which would warrant some hard thought by him I'm sure to replace. It takes us around 8 hours start to finish to install the pad on an 82 not to mention the hours. (we have some pics of this on our facebook page)>
In his case he's looking at around 390.00 for the pad vs 136.79 for the cap. http://willcoxcorvette.com/advanced_...&keywords=dash (he'd have to use the sale code to get those prices too).
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,003
Likes: 48
From: hickory NC
C4 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
2017 C4 of Year Finalist
So you can't use your front speakers?
IF they go bad, and IF I have the car long enough, I'll put some new ones in the kick panels.